The XIX Session of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was held in the city of Nur-Sultan, where the issues of preparation for the next Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions were discussed.
Opening the Session, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Head of the Secretariat of the Congress Maulen Ashimbayev noted that the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is a unique phenomenon on the international agenda and a substantial instrument of global interreligious dialogue.
The Head of the Congress Secretariat stressed that Kazakhstan has managed to form its own model of peace and national dialogue over the years of Independence, based on the principles of "Diversity through Unity" and joint responsibility for the future of the country, respect and ensuring the rights of citizens, regardless of ethnicity and religion.
«This year we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Independence of Kazakhstan. During this period, we managed to create our own model of peace, national unity and interfaith dialogue. This model established by the First President of Kazakhstan, Leader of the Nation Nursultan Nazarbayev has proven its effectiveness and viability. Today, under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, we are implementing a policy to ensure interethnic and interfaith harmony Therefore, holding the Secretariat and the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is not an image-building event for us, but a natural and integral part of the development model of Kazakhstan», noted the Speaker of the Senate.
Maulen Ashimbayev stressed that the current Secretariat is taking place amid difficult conditions – along with the coronavirus pandemic, other global problems of the modern world have worsened in recent years. Among them are the intensification of international tensions caused by geopolitical and geo-economic factors, the breakdown of the global security system, as well as the intensification of the arms race and the problems of the global environmental agenda.
«In these conditions, the key task of spiritual leaders, in our opinion, is to establish the correct system of values and unite people behind the ideas of peace, social harmony and mutual support for each other. This is the purpose of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions I would like to express my appreciation for your participation and active support of the Congress», said Maulen Ashimbayev.
The Session of the Congress Secretariat was attended by representatives of world religions and confessions from 20 countries, as well as representatives of international organizations. In their speeches, religious leaders noted the high importance of the work carried out by Kazakhstan to establish interreligious and interfaith dialogue not only within the country, but also at the international level.
In particular, the High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, Miguel Angel Moratinos, stressed the importance of the Congress in terms of discussing the role of religion in society and interaction at the international level to build a sustainable and secure world.
«The unique platform that this initiative provides will constitute a key opportunity for representatives of governments, religions leaders, international and regional organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to reflect collectively about the challenges for the inter-religious, dialogue, and sustainable peace in increasingly polarized world. The UN Alliance of Civilizations will play an active role during the VII Congress», he said.
Following the Session of the Secretariat, the venue and date of the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which will be held in the Nur-Sultan city on September 14-15, 2022. This Congress is planned to be dedicated to the role of leaders of world and traditional religions in the spiritual and social development of mankind in the post-pandemic period.
In conclusion, Maulen Ashimbayev noted that this Session once again demonstrated that representatives of different cultures and religions united by a common desire for cooperation and peaceful coexistence of mankind. He expressed firm confidence that the traditions of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions will serve as a reliable basis for its further successful work.
